Mirena or Tubal Ligation

I had the Mirena put in two years ago. I haven't had any problems with it. My dr. recommended it, and I got a second opinion from a friend who is an OB. So far, so good.

You haven't considered all the options here. I have had a Tubal and the air they inflate you with is rather uncomfortable for several days. It's not that bad though. Your husband could have a vasectomy and it is much less complicated and less uncomfortable. My brother-in-law had this done. It is just as effective. I would not do the IUD.

I agree with the vasectomy suggestions. I know several men that have had the procedure and it's really nothing that a valium or two plus a day laying on the couch or in bed with the remote and pain pills won't make better.
I have the Mirena and it is just fine. I have the unfortunate side effect of recurrent bacterial infections down there. Doc said that some women get it and some don't. But anytime you put a foreign body in your body, the immune system does what it is suppose to do and tries to fight it. There is always that risk of getting a undesireable side effect. Usually there are no side effects with Mirena. But, some women (including those that have posted here) have effects that are not good. My hubby is only 25 and I know that life and situations change so I wouldn't even consider asking him to get snipped. Maybe in 5 years we will discuss that option. I just deal with my side effect and sleep well at night not worrying about being prego - I adore my 2 kids but know for sure that 2 is enough for me! Mirena is like 99% effective.

I just had my second son in December. I am pretty sure I do not want any more children, but like you was also intimidated by the thought of having a tubal. I just had the Mirena inserted a few weeks ago and so far love it! I know this is not very long to have had it and give good advice about it, but my point is that if you feel intimidated by the tubal, Mirena seems to be a great choice....

I had a tubal ligation after my son was born, and it was the best decision I ever made. (As far as birth control was concerned). I had also heard of the Mirena, but my husband and I decided that tubal ligation has been successful for women for a LONG time, so it was the choice for us. We did not have to speculate whether or not the IUD would fall out, etc.
As for the surgery, it took me a few weeks to recover, but I had no traumatic side effects. I felt like I had done a bunch of sit ups,and had sore stomach muscles. Good Luck on whatever decision you make!

Hi V.,

I was in your same situation and felt a lot of the same ways, but I was given another option. A new implant in your arm called implanon. It's not like the norplant and not dangerous. It is about the size of a match and fits uder your skin in a very quick procedure in the office. It is good for three years. I had it done because I had heard horro stories about IUDs and was too scared to do it. Of course,everyone has their own story :) Anyway, just wanted to let you know about another option that you might want to research. I have had great success with it and no side effects. Good luck!

V.,
Hi. I had a tubal ligation after my third child 11 years ago. I had a hard labor and delivery so my doctor waited till the next morning to do my tubal. I had no problems with it. It hurt when I walked at first but that is with any surgery. I don't know anything about the IUD but I am glad I had the tubal.

Hi My name is D., I have 3 kids I was supposed to stop after my daughter was born, Needless to say I didn't listen, I had my second child and didn't stop then either,then I had my son he was supposed to be a twin, wasn't meant to be, so I had my tubes cut tied and burned and its much easier to deal with.Hope this advice helps.not being able to get pregnant again.

I had a tubal about 6 years ago and I have had nothign but problems since then. I dont suggest getting one unless you absolutely have to...its not good for you. The surgeon that did mine told me that 8 out of 10 women end up having to have a hysterectomy after a tubal because it effects you and I wish I would have listened! I'm 27 and I suspect when I go for my check up this year that will be suggested by my GYN just because of the problems I'm having. Its not like its in my family history to have that done either...my grandmother is 90 years old and still has all of her female organs!

I will be 34 in March and have 2 girls - 14yrs and 10yrs. I had 2 misscarriages between the two girls. Because I had my first at 19yrs old and was only 23yrs old when I had my second girl my doctor really didn't want me to have the tubal right away...but with the complications that I have had I felt it was best. I gave birth to my youngest on a Thursday night(early Friday morning) and went back and had the tubal ligation that following Monday. It was a very simple procedure, in which they went in through the belly button, requiring only 2 stitches. I personally had no complications whatsoever. It has been 10yrs now and have not had to worry about pregnancy. The only thing I noticed after the tubal is that before, I never had cramps, since then I do. I feel that if you are definitely sure you are done having children, that is the way to go. Plus I hear it is a reversable procedure in case you do change your mind later. Hope I was able to help by sharing my experience with you. Good luck on finding the answer that is best for you and your family!!

V., I had my tubes tied after my 3rd child. And when she was four months old, my husband left me. We are now divorced and I am remarried. We have been together 6 years married for one. He had never been married and never had any children. I now long to give him a child and can't. Think about your decision long and hard. You never know what your future holds.

If you are definatley sure you want no more kids, i would go with a tubal ligation,( i had the laproscopic tubal) i had mine at 31 and it was done in the late morning and i was up & around driving that afternoon when i got home, i had no problems at all, you can't even see where they done the surgery at on me anymore. Just my opinion.

Go with the laproscopic tubal. You won't even be out of commission 48 hours. Easy and very little pain involved. Same day surgery procedure.

I had my tubes tied when I had my 3rd child by c-section. I have not regretted it at all! I haven't had any complications due to it either. If you are certain that you don't want more children, I'd go for the tubal or ask your husband to do the vasectomy. Best of Luck!

Hi V.- Not sure where you live but, my doctor shared with me about Essure. More Info on Essure: www.Essure.com. However, it is permanent and I would love to give you the contact person of sommeone who has had it done and can share with you about it.

Your story sounds much like mine. I am 37 and had a tubal 3 years ago. I had mine because of age and the fact that my two youngest have disabilities. God decided that he wanted me to have another baby even though I had my tubes tied. I am 5 months pregnant with #4. If you really don't want to have any more children I would suggest that you get your tubes tied as well as have your husband get sniped. That is our plan when this baby comes. Well at least I hope my husband will not change his mind. You know how they can be with the thought about anything sharp around there manhood lol.

It's not coming out. No way, no how. You may have some cramping off and on for a few months and some wierd bleeding or discharge, but the discomfort is minor and short-lived. I got Mirena last year and I really don't even know it's there. We aren't planning on having anymore children-we weren't 'planning' the one we have either, but we didn't want the finality of either of us getting 'fixed'permanantly. Your doctor can give you some great information on any risk factors you might need to know about and can help guide you in this decision. Just don't let any worry about it coming out be the reason you decide against it!

I've had a Mirena since 2004. I haven't had any problems with it at all, and get very rare, very light spotting.

Good luck whatever you choose!

J.

Hi V.,

I had a tubal ligation back in 1992. I for one am glad I did. After having the operation done, it was just a few days before I was able to return to work, with some limitations of course. The only thing that was different after having this done was that I had severe cramps for the first couple of years. But I am know back to normal as far as my cycles and there is little or no pain.

I have a friend that had her tubes tied and is now having problems. Her doctor is leading a research group to check the connection between tubals and uterine and cervical cancer.

I would definetly check into all possibilities before getting your tubes tied.

I say go for the IUD!! I had one and loved it. I had very similar concerns about it falling out, but the chances of that happening are slim. If it is going to occur, it will most often fall out within a month to six weeks of it being inserted...as a result of the body rejecting it as a foreign object...so an additional form of birth control is recommended for a short time. And you are able to check for the strings to ensure that is always in place. I would suggest doing some research online to find out more. That way you can weigh the pros and cons of each method. It may put your concerns to rest or help you make the choice between the IUD and Tubal Ligation. Good luck!!

I do not think there is really any way to know until you try which ever one you pick. I have known people who have had problems with tubals and IUDs. I also know people who have had successes with both. As you can see from the answers there are many stories, but everyone is different. Good Luck with your decision!

I have had the mirena for over a year now and had no problems. At first, I spotted, but after that I have had no problems. My husband and I both love it. I am 35 myself and have 4 boys. So we do not want to have anymore, but I did not want tubal ligation either. Talk with your doctor in detail about both. You will know what the right decision will be. My friend who is a registered nurse has had hers in for 3 years with no issues.

I had a tubal ligation after my last child. It wasn't that bad, really, and at my age at that time was really the best choice. Of course, it IS surgery and discomfort is to be expected.

Hey V., I had the ParaGuard IUD for 4 years. It was a wonderful, carefree method of birthcontrol for me that insurance paid for, something that weighted our decision considerably. This kind of IUD stays in place for 10 years. Visit www.paraguard.com for more info.

Good luck with your decision.

A.

I am a 31year old mother of 2. I didn't want any more kids so I had the ESSURE procedure done. No incision and pain free. It basically is a nickel-titanium coil that is placed inside your tubes 6 weeks after delivery and it begins to grow up with scar tissue and then 3 months later they do an ultrasound and inject a dye to make sure there is no leakage! Hence your tubes are blocked off! No more babies!!!

I've had the Mirena for about 4 years now and LOVE it! I highly recommend it! You can feel for the little wires to make sure it's still in place. Mine has never slipped. Kinda hurts to have it put in (like a pap smear) but wonderful after that.